Judge dismisses 'Monty Python' case against dead fisherman

A judge in New Zealand has thrown out an attempt to prosecute a dead fisherman, comparing the case to Monty Python's famous dead parrot sketch.

A judge in New Zealand has thrown out an attempt to prosecute a dead fisherman, comparing the case to Monty Python's famous dead parrot sketchPhoto: ALAMY

1:11PM GMT 08 Nov 2012

South Korean trawler officers Soon Ill Hwang and Dae Jun Lee were accused in Christchurch District Court of illegally dumping dead fish at sea in a case brought by the Ministry for Primary Industries, the New Zealand Herald reported.

However, shortly after charges were laid against him earlier this year, Soon was killed in a car crash and may not have been aware that he was facing legal proceedings, a lawyer for his estate told the court.

Unperturbed by the death of the fisherman, a solicitor representing the ministry reportedly told the court there were still valid reasons for the prosecution to go ahead – although judge Gary MacAskill rejected the argument as "absurd".